Bug Identifier
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Community identification

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Halyomorpha halys

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Pentatomidae
Size
Approximately 12 to 17 mm (0.5 to 0.7 inches) in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in gardens, orchards, and agricultural fields; frequently invades homes and buildings during autumn to seek warmth for overwintering.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; uses piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on a wide variety of plants, including fruits (apples, peaches, pears), vegetables, and ornamental plants.

Behavior Patterns

Known for the 'stink' they release from thoracic glands when threatened or crushed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis and are highly mobile, often hitchhiking on vehicles or cargo.

Risks & Benefits

An invasive agricultural pest that causes significant damage to crops. They are a nuisance to humans when they congregate indoors, but they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases to people or pets.